Collapsible folding chair

ABSTRACT

A collapsible chair device is provided including a seat portion, a backrest portion hingeably attached to the seat portion, two or more front leg members hingeably attached to the seat portion, two or more rear leg members hingeably attached to the backrest portion, a base portion pivotally attached to the two or more front leg members and the two or more rear leg members, and a brace member attached on one end to the front support member by a hinge and attached on the other end to the seat portion by a hinge. The device can be converted from a compact and readily portable state to a stable and sturdy chair by an unfolding action wherein all of the components unfold in unison. The device can further include a backrest brace portion and a carrying handle portion.

PRIORITY

This application is related to and claims priority from U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 60/771,718, filed on Feb. 10, 2006, entitled“Collapsible Folding Chair”, the entire application being expresslyincorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

This invention was not federally sponsored.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The embodiments of the invention relate to portable furniture. Morespecifically, the embodiments of the present invention relate toportable furniture that is foldable.

2. Description of the Related Art

Furniture is a necessary component of modern living. Items such assofas, tables, chairs, desks, bookcases, and dressers can be found inalmost every home to provide comfort and convenience. Most furniturehowever, is rather bulky and requires more than one person to transportthe furniture item from room to room. To help provide versatility andtransportability, certain furniture has been developed that could befolded into compact and readily transportable positions. One type offolding furniture in particular, folding chairs, were developed to allowusers to conveniently and comfortably sit or lounge near variouslocations, such as by the pool or on a lawn, or to quickly and readilyincrease the seating capacity of a room, by providing a chair that couldeasily be folded and carried to such a location.

While folding furniture has been useful, many drawbacks presently exist.One drawback relating to foldable furniture is durability. Many items offoldable furniture are not designed for long-term use, but rather arecomprised of fabric material that easily wears over time. Additionally,many items of foldable furniture, such as chairs, do not provide designsthat allow for stable use of the furniture, but rather opt to providesimple folding and unfolding features that are not designed foroptimized support capacity. These chairs can result in a user fallingout of the chair as the user attempts to sit down in the chair, possiblyleading to serious injury. Another problem with foldable furniture isthat it often does not provide for the ability to be used outside oneparticular setting. For example, beach chairs do not offer the abilityto be used, at least fashionably, in a home environment, such as in aguest room or a family room. Therefore, because of the limited purposeof the foldable furniture, a consumer must purchase additional furnitureto achieve the desired result, costing additional time, effort, and notto mention money.

A further problem associated with folding furniture is the lack ofconvenient carrying means. To carry a folding chair, for example, onemust generally grasp a leg member, the edge of the seat portion, orcarry the whole chair using both hands, which can result in an awkwardcarrying position for the user. Folding chairs have also presented theproblem of not remaining in a compact and folded position duringtransport. Due to the lack of strong hinge members that can lock a chairinto position, combined with the awkward carrying position that usersgenerally have to use when transporting a folding chair, often resultsin a user being inconvenienced by the chair falling out of the compactand folded position.

Therefore, there is a current need for a chair device that provides fora compact, easily storable and easily transportable device that may beeasily unfolded and that that allows the unfolded components to belocked in place to form a stable chair that may not accidentallycollapse when a person attempts to sit in the chair.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of theinvention in detail it is to be understood that the embodiments of theinvention are not limited in their application to the details ofconstruction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in thefollowing description or illustrated in the drawings. The embodiments ofthe invention are capable of being practiced and carried out in variousways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology andterminology employed herein are for the purpose of description andshould not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiment of the invention provides a collapsible chairdevice comprising a seat portion, a backrest portion, two or more frontleg members, two or more rear leg members, a base portion, and a bracemember. The backrest portion is attached to the seat portion andincludes a cross-member, with the seat portion being attached to thecross-member by at least one hinge. The backrest portion comprises atleast two backrest upright members, a first backrest cross-member, and asecond backrest cross-member attached between the at least two backrestupright members. The first backrest cross-member is attached between thebackrest upright members on one end of the backrest upright members andthe second backrest cross-member is attached between the backrestupright members on the other end of the backrest upright members. Thebackrest upright members are attached to each of the two or more rearleg members by a hinge.

The two or more front leg members are attached on one end to the seatportion. The front leg members are structurally connected by a frontsupport member. The front leg members are attached on one end to thebase portion by a double hinge mechanism to allow the two or more frontleg members to both pivot and lift off of the base portion. The doublehinge mechanism comprises a mounting bracket having a base portion and ahinge portion coupled to the base portion, the hinge portionperpendicular to the base portion. The hinge portion has a pin acceptingportion on the distal end thereof, and a hinge plate pivotally securedto the mounting bracket by a pin, rivet, bolt or other similarattachment mechanism. The hinge plate also contains a first end with amounting bracket pin receiving portion therein and a second end with afront leg pin receiving portion therein, wherein the pin is disposedthrough the mounting bracket pin receiving portion and the pin acceptingportion to secure the hinge plate to the mounting bracket. Each of theother ends of the front leg members contain a pin receiving portion anda hinge plate slot disposed therein, wherein a front leg pin can beinserted through each of the pin receiving portions to secure the hingeplate to the two or more front leg members and the hinge plate slots canreceive the hinge plate to enable the chair to be securely positionedinto a fully extended position.

The rear leg members are attached on one end to the backrest portion.The rear leg members are structurally and pivotally connected by a rearsupport member through a hinge mechanism. The base portion is pivotallyattached to the other end of the front leg members and the other end ofthe rear leg members. The brace member is attached on one end to thefront support member by a hinge and attached on the other end to theseat portion by a hinge. The brace member comprises two brace sectionsattached by a locking hinge.

When in a locked position, the seat portion, backrest portion, front legmembers, rear leg members, base portion, and brace member form a stablechair device. Releasing and folding of the brace member causes thepivoting members to pivot and fold in a forward direction until thelocking hinges between the rear leg members and backrest portion must bereleased, thereby allowing the member to continue to collapse forwarduntil the front leg members, seat portion, and backrest portion lieflatly together, such that, with the allowance of the double hingingmechanism, may be folded back over the rear leg members therein forminga compact configuration where the various members lie substantially flatand parallel to the adjoining members.

In another embodiment, the device can also include a backrest portionbrace attached to the seat portion. The backrest portion brace includesa first brace member attached on one end to one side of the seatportion, a second brace member attached on one end to another side ofthe seat portion, and a cross-brace attached on one end to the other endof the first brace member and on the other end to the other end of thesecond brace member. The backrest portion brace is configured such thatwhen the chair is positioned in the fully extended position—that is, theposition in which a person can sit in the chair—the cross-brace ispositioned on the side of the backrest portion opposite the seatportion, and connects the two at an approximately 45 degree angle. Abrace support is also attached to each of the two backrest uprightmembers for supporting the cross-brace when the chair is positioned in afully extended position.

In a further embodiment, the device can include a backrest bracepivotally attached to two sides of the seat portion. The backrest bracecontains a first brace member attached on one end to one side of theseat portion, a second brace member pivotally attached on one end to thefirst brace member and attached on the other end to one of the uprightmembers. The backrest portion brace is configured such that when thechair is positioned in the fully extended position the backrest brace isstraightened to secure the backrest portion to the seat portion.

While the figures enclosed herein illustrate iterations of the inventionteaching a chair which rests on the ground utilizing either the basemember or the legs, it is envisioned that the invention could bemanufactured utilizing a variety of terminal objects attached to thebase member or legs. Such terminal objects could include wheeledcasters, pads which can be attached through sticky surfaces ortacks/screws, and other items well known in the art.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, features of theembodiments of the invention in order that the detailed descriptionthereof may be better understood, and in order that the presentcontribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additionalfeatures of the embodiments of the invention that will be describedhereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claimsappended hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part ofthis specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and togetherwith the description, serve to explain the principals of the embodimentsof the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of the preferred embodiment of thecollapsible folding chair.

FIG. 2 shows an angled side perspective view of the preferred embodimentof the collapsible folding chair.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the preferred embodiment of the collapsiblefolding chair.

FIG. 4A shows a rear perspective view of the preferred embodiment of thecollapsible folding chair in a beginning collapsed position.

FIG. 4B shows a rear perspective view of the preferred embodiment of thecollapsible folding chair in an intermediate collapsed position.

FIG. 4C shows a rear perspective view of the preferred embodiment of thecollapsible folding chair in a final collapsed position.

FIG. 5 shows a side perspective view of an alternate embodiment of thecollapsible folding chair including a backrest brace which serves tostrengthen the support for the backrest and place less wear and tear onthe hinges.

FIG. 6 shows a rear perspective view of an alternate embodiment of thecollapsible folding chair including a backrest brace where the chairrests upon its legs rather than on the base member.

FIG. 7 shows a detailed view of a double hinged mechanism for use withthe embodiments of the device.

FIG. 8A shows a side perspective view of the brace locking hinge for usewith the embodiments of the device.

FIG. 8B shows a top view of the brace locking hinge for use with theembodiments of the device.

FIG. 9A shows a rear perspective view of another alternate embodiment ofthe collapsible folding chair.

FIG. 9B shows a side perspective view of the chair of FIG. 9A.

FIG. 9C shows a perspective view of the chair of FIG. 9A in itscollapsed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, wherein similar parts are identified bylike reference numerals, FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of thepreferred embodiment of the collapsible folding chair device 10. Device10 includes a seat portion 20, a backrest portion 30, front leg members40 and 42., rear leg members 50 and 52, a base portion 60, and a bracemember 70. These components are preferably comprised of a wood material,but can also be comprised of a durable plastic material, lightweightmetallic material, or other material that provides for a durable andlightweight device.

Backrest portion 30 is attached to seat portion 20 and includes across-member 80 attached thereto, where seat portion 20 is attached tocross-member 80 by at least one hinge 82. Backrest portion 30 comprisesbackrest upright members 32 and 34, a first backrest cross-member 36,and a second backrest cross-member 38 attached between backrest uprightmembers 32 and 34. Backrest cross-member 36 is attached between backrestupright members 32 and 34 on ends 33 and 35 of backrest upright members32 and 34 respectively. Backrest cross-member 38 is attached betweenbackrest upright members 32 and 34 on ends 37 and 39 of backrest uprightmembers 32 and 34 respectively. Backrest upright members 32 and 34 areattached to each of the rear leg members 50 and 52 by hinges 84 and 86respectively, where hinges 84 and 86 are locking hinges in thisiteration of the invention. Although as shown, backrest cross-members 36and 38 are attached between backrest upright members 32 and 34 to form asquare-shaped pattern, other configurations of backrest cross-members 36and 38 between backrest upright members 32 and 34 are contemplated bythis invention, such as a cross-pattern or other patterns that may beobvious to one with ordinary skill in the art. It should be noted thatbackrest portion 30 is not limited to two backrest cross-members, butcan comprise more than two to accomplish different objectives.

Front leg members 40 and 42 are pivotally attached on ends 41 and 43respectively to seat portion 20. Front leg members 40 and 42 arestructurally connected by a front leg support member 90. Front legmembers 40 and 42 are attached to base portion 60 by a double hingemechanism 100 to allow front leg members 40 and 42 to both pivot andlift off of base portion 60. Rear leg members 50 and 52 are attached onends 54 and 56 to backrest portion 30 by locking hinges. Rear legmembers 50 and 52 are structurally connected by a rear support member58. Base portion 60 is pivotally attached to the other ends 45 and 47 ofthe front leg members and the other ends 55 and 57 of rear leg members50 and 52. Base portion 60 can comprise various shapes, including asquare, cross, circle, rectangle, and other shapes as recognized by onewith ordinary skill in the art. Preferably, base portion 60 issubstantially x-shaped. In this configuration, the ends 45 and 47 of thefront leg members and the other ends 55 and 57 of rear leg members 50and 52 are each attached to a corner of the x shape. Ends 55 and 57 areattached to base portion 60 by hinges 59 and 61. Brace member 70 isattached on one end 72 to front leg support member 90 by a hinge 92 andattached on the other end 74 to seat portion 20 by a hinge 94. Bracemember 70 comprises two brace sections 76 and 78 attached by a lockinghinge 79.

When in a locked position, seat portion 20, backrest portion 30, frontleg members 40 and 42, rear leg members 50 and 52, base portion 60, andbrace member 70 form a stable chair device 10. The releasing and foldingof brace member 70 causes backrest portion 30 to fold toward front legmember 40 and 42 until locking hinges 84 and 86 are released, therebyallowing backrest portion 30 and rear leg members 50 and 52 to furthercollapse until front leg members 40 and 42, seat portion 20, andbackrest portion 30 lie flatly together, such that, with the allowanceof double hinge mechanism 100, they may be folded back over rear legmembers 50 and 52, forming a compact configuration where the variousmembers lie substantially flat and parallel to the adjoining members.Device 10 further can include a carrying portion 130 therein or attachedthereto. Carrying portion 130 is preferably incorporated intocross-member 80, but could also, in different iterations, be locatedproximate to seat portion 20 or incorporated as part of seat portion 20.Carrying portion 130 preferably comprises a handle portion integratedwithin seat portion 20. Carrying portion 130 can also comprise a handleportion pivotally attached to seat portion 20, such that carryingportion 130 can be folded up or down depending on whether device 10 isin an extended position for seating or a carrying position fortransport. Carrying portion 130 may also be connected to cross-member 80attached to backrest portion 30.

The hinges described herein are preferably metallic in nature, but cancomprise durable and strong plastic or other materials with similarcharacteristics. It should be noted that there are numerous otherconfigurations and hardware arrangements for device 10 that fall withinthe scope of the embodiments of the invention, and that theconfigurations can components shown are chosen for convenience,appearance, manufacturability, and compatibility with other types offolding furniture.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, FIG. 2 shows an angled side perspectiveview of device 10 in a fully extended position, and FIG. 3 shows a sideview of device 10 in a fully extended position. FIG. 2 illustrates theattachment of seat portion to cross-member 80 by at least one hinge 82.This figure also illustrates the attachment of brace member 70 tocross-member 80 by hinge 94, as well as the attachment of front legmembers 40 and 42 to seat portion 20 via hinges 48 and 49 respectively.In an alternative configuration, brace member 70 could be connected toseat member 20 by hinge 94. FIG. 3 illustrates the angular positioningof brace member 70 in relation to seat portion 20, backrest portion 30,and base portion 60, when device 10 is in a fully extended position.Regarding the direction brace portion 70 folds, or the size orstraightness of front leg members 40 and 42, or rear leg members 50 and52, numerous other configurations are contemplated that fall within thescope and spirit of this invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C, FIG. 4A shows a rear perspectiveview of device 10 in a beginning collapsed position, FIG. 4B shows arear perspective view of device 10 in an intermediate collapsedposition, and FIG. 4C shows a rear perspective view of device 10 in afinal collapsed position. To position device 10 in a beginning collapsedposition, backrest upright members 32 and 34, first backrestcross-member 36, and second backrest cross-member 38 are folded againstthe top surface of seat portion 20. This motion causes front leg members40 and 42 to contact against the bottom surface of seat portion 20, withbrace member 70 folding along locking hinge 79. To next position device10 in an intermediate collapsed position, as shown in FIG. 4B, backrestportion 30, along with seat portion 20 and front leg members 40 and 42,are folded along hinges 84 and 86 such that it is perpendicular withbase portion 60. To position device 10 in a final collapsed position,backrest portion 30, along with seat portion 20 and front leg members 40and 42, are folded along hinges 84 and 86 such that it lies flatlyagainst base portion 60. Because hinges 84 and 86 are locking hinges,they can be configured such that device 10 can be securely locked in thecompact final collapsed position and can be readily stored ortransported from location to location.

FIG. 5 shows a side perspective view of an alternate embodiment of thecollapsible folding chair including a backrest brace which serves tostrengthen the support for the backrest and place less wear and tear onthe hinges. Device 200 is similar to device 10 in that device 200includes a seat portion 210, a backrest portion 220, front leg members230 and 232, rear leg members 240 and 242, a base portion 250, a bracemember 260, and various hinges to attach the members together. Backrestportion 220 is attached to seat portion 210 and includes a cross-member270 attached thereto. Device 200 can also include a backrest portionbrace 280 attached to the seat portion. Backrest portion brace 280includes a brace members 282 and 284 attached to side 212 of seatportion 210, and a cross-brace 286 attached on the opposite ends ofbrace members 282 and 284. Backrest portion brace 280 is configured suchthat when device 200 is positioned in the fully extended position—thatis when device 200 can be used as a chair—cross-brace 286 is positionedon the side of backrest portion 220 opposite seat portion 210. A bracesupport 292 is also attached to each of the two backrest upright members222 and 224 for supporting cross-brace 286 when device 200 is positionedin a fully extended position. By providing additional support tobackrest portion 220, backrest portion brace 280 takes some of thepressure off of hinges 287. Device 200 also contains a support slot 294located on the back of each of rear leg members 240 and 242 at aposition such that when device 200 is folded into a compact structure,brace supports 292 are disposed within support slots 294.

FIG. 6 shows a rear perspective view of an alternate embodiment of thecollapsible folding chair including a backrest brace where the chairrests upon its legs rather than on the base member. Device 201 issimilar to device 200 in FIG. 5, in that device 201 includes a seatportion 210, a backrest portion 220, front leg members 230 and 232, rearleg members 240 and 242, a base portion 250, a brace member 260, andvarious hinges to attach the members together. Backrest portion 220 isattached to seat portion 210 and includes a cross-member 270 attachedthereto. Device 201 can also include a backrest portion brace 280attached to the seat portion. Backrest portion brace 280 includes abrace members 282 and 284 attached to side 212 of seat portion 210, anda cross-brace 286 attached on the opposite ends of brace members 282 and284. Backrest portion brace 280 is configured such that when device 201is positioned in the fully extended position—that is when device 201 canbe used as a chair—cross-brace 286 is positioned on the side of backrestportion 220 opposite seat portion 210. A brace support 292 is alsoattached to each of the two backrest upright members 222 and 224 forsupporting cross-brace 286 when device 200 is positioned in a fullyextended position. By providing additional support to backrest portion220, backrest portion brace 280 takes some of the pressure off of hinges287. Device 201 also contains a support slot 294 located on the back ofeach of rear leg members 240 and 242 at a position such that when device200 is folded into a compact structure, brace supports 292 are disposedwithin support slots 294.

Base portion 250 in FIG. 6 is attached to front leg members 230 and 232,and rear leg members 240 and 242 in a different configuration that thatshown in FIG. 5. In FIG. 5, the leg members rest upon base portion 250and are pivotally attached to base portion 250 by hinges attached to theupper surface of base portion 250 and the terminal ends 295 of the legmembers. The iteration of the invention shown in FIG. 6 illustrates achair where base portion 250 is attached to the leg members at aposition other than the terminal ends 295 of the leg members. Here, baseportion is attached several inches upward from the terminal end of legmembers 230, 332, 240, and 242. In this iteration of the invention thehinge mechanism will still allow for the chair to be laid flat forstorage or transport, and provides additional advantages such asallowing for a simple strip of padding to be applied to terminal ends295 to make chair 201 less damaging to carpet and tile floors.

FIG. 7 shows a detailed view of double hinge mechanism 100. Double hingemechanism 100 comprises a mounting bracket 102 having a base portion 104and a hinge portion 106 coupled to base portion 104. Hinge portion 106is perpendicular to base portion 104. Hinge portion 106 has a pinaccepting portion 108 on the distal end 107 thereof, and a hinge plate110 pivotally secured to mounting bracket 102 by a pin 112. Hinge plate110 also contains a first end 114 with a mounting bracket pin receivingportion 116 therein (not shown), and a second end 118 with a front legpin receiving portion 120 therein (not shown), wherein pin 112 isdisposed through mounting bracket pin receiving portion 116 and pinaccepting portion 108 to secure hinge plate 110 to mounting bracket 102.Each of the other ends 45 and 47 of front leg members 40 and 42 containa pin receiving portion 46 and 48, and a hinge plate slot 51 and 53disposed therein, wherein a front leg pin 49 can be inserted througheach of pin receiving portions 46 and 48 to secure hinge plate 110 tofront leg members 40 and 42. Hinge plate slots 51 and 53 can receivehinge plate 110 to enable device 10 to be securely positioned into afully extended position.

Referring now to FIGS. 8A and 8B, FIG. 8A shows a side perspective viewof locking hinge 79, and FIG. 8B shows a top view of locking hinge 79.Hinge 79 can also be used with devices 200 and 300. Hinge 79 includes afirst hinge member 85 connected to brace 78 and a second hinge member 87connected to brace 76. First hinge member 85 and second hinge member 87are connected by a hinge pin 89. Hinge 79 is preferably a locking hingeto allow for a stable positioning of device 10 when in the fullyextended position.

Referring now to FIGS. 9A-9C, FIG. 9A shows a rear perspective view ofanother alternate embodiment of the collapsible folding chair device300, FIG. 9B shows a side perspective view of device 300, and FIG. 9Cshows a perspective view of device 300 in the collapsed position. Device300 is similar to devices 10, 200 and 201 in that device 300 includes aseat portion 310, a backrest portion 320, front leg members 330 and 332,rear leg members 340 and 342, a base portion 350, a brace member 360,and various hinges to attach the members together. Backrest portion 320is attached to seat portion 310 and includes a cross-member 370 attachedthereto. Device 300 can also include a backrest portion brace 380attached to each side of seat portion 310. Backrest portion brace 380includes a first brace member 382 attached to seat portion 310, a secondbrace member 384 attached to backrest portion 320 by brace attachment386. Backrest portion brace 380 is configured such that when device 300is positioned in the fully extended position, that is when device 300can be used as a chair, cross-brace 386 is positioned on the side ofbackrest portion 320 opposite seat portion 310.

With respect to the above description it is to be realized that theoptimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention,including variations in size, materials, shape, form, function andmanner of operation, assembly, and use, are deemed readily apparent andobvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships tothose illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification areintended to be encompassed by the present invention. Therefore, theforegoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of theinvention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed. Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents fallwithin the scope of the present invention.

The above description, together with the various features of noveltywhich characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity inthe claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For abetter understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and thespecific advantages attained by its uses, reference should be made tothe accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there areillustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S.Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially thescientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiarwith patent or legal terms or phraseology, to quickly determine thenature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. Theabstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application,which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting, asto the scope of the invention in any way.

1. A collapsible chair device comprising: a) a seat portion; b) abackrest portion attached to the seat portion, the backrest portionincluding a cross-member wherein the seat portion is attached to thecross-member by at least one hinge; c) two or more front leg memberseach attached on one end to the seat portion, the two or more front legmembers structurally connected by a front support member; d) two or morerear leg members, where each of the two or more rear leg members isattached on one end to the backrest portion by a rear leg member hinge,the two or more rear leg members structurally connected by a rearsupport member; e) a base portion pivotally attached to the two or morefront leg members and the two or more rear leg members; and f) a bracemember attached on one end to the front support member by a first hingeand attached on the other end to the seat portion by a second hinge, thebrace member comprising two brace sections connected by a brace memberlocking hinge whereby, when in a locked position, the seat portion, thebackrest portion, the front leg members, the rear leg members, the baseportion, and the brace member form a stable chair device, wherein thereleasing and folding of the brace member causes the backrest portion tofold toward the two or more front leg members until the rear leg memberhinges are released, thereby allowing the backrest portion and the twoor more rear leg members to further collapse until the two or more frontleg members, the seat portion, and the backrest portion lie flatlytogether, such that they may be folded back over the two or more rearleg members, forming a compact configuration.
 2. The collapsible chairof claim 1, where two or more rear leg members and the two or more frontleg members has a terminal end, which is the end which is not attachedto the seat portion, and where the two or more rear leg members and thetwo or more front leg members are attached to the base member at aterminal end of each of the two or more rear leg members and the two ormore front leg members.
 3. The collapsible chair of claim 1, where twoor more rear leg members and the two or more front leg members has aterminal end, which is the end which is not attached to the seatportion, and where the two or more rear leg members and the two or morefront leg members are attached to the base member at a location abovethe terminal end of each of the two or more rear leg members and the twoor more front leg members.
 4. The collapsible chair of claim 1 furthercomprising a handle portion attached to the seat portion.
 5. Thecollapsible chair of claim 1, wherein the backrest portion comprises atleast two backrest upright members and a first backrest cross-member anda second backrest cross-member attached between the at least twobackrest upright members.
 6. The collapsible chair of claim 5, whereinthe first backrest cross-member is attached between the at least twobackrest upright members on one end of the at least two backrest uprightmembers and the second backrest cross-member is attached between the atleast two backrest upright members on the other end of the at least twobackrest upright members.
 7. The collapsible chair of claim 5, whereinthe rear leg member hinge is a locking hinge.
 8. The collapsible chairof claim 1, wherein the two or more front leg members are attached onone end to the seat portion by a double hinge mechanism to allow the twoor more front leg members to both pivot and lift off of the baseportion.
 9. The collapsible chair of claim 8, wherein the double hingemechanism comprises: a) a mounting bracket having a base portion and ahinge portion coupled to the base portion, the hinge portionperpendicular to the base portion, the hinge portion having a pinaccepting portion on the distal end thereof; b) a hinge plate pivotallysecured to the mounting bracket by a pin, the hinge plate having a firstend with a mounting bracket pin receiving portion therein and a secondend with a front leg pin receiving portion therein, wherein the pin isdisposed through the mounting bracket pin receiving portion and the pinaccepting portion to secure the hinge plate to the mounting bracket. 10.The collapsible chair of claim 9, wherein each of the other ends of thetwo or more front leg members contain a pin receiving portion and ahinge plate slot disposed therein, wherein a front leg pin can beinserted through each of the pin receiving portions to secure the hingeplate to the two or more front leg members and the hinge plate slots canreceive the hinge plate to enable the chair to be securely positionedinto a fully extended position.
 11. The collapsible chair of claim 5further comprising: a) a backrest portion brace attached to the seatportion, the backrest portion brace comprising a first brace memberattached on one end to one side of the seat portion, a second bracemember attached on one end to another side of the seat portion, and across-brace attached on one end to the other end of the first bracemember and on the other end to the other end of the second brace member,the backrest portion brace configured such that when the chair ispositioned in the fully extended position the cross-brace is positionedon the side of the backrest portion opposite the seat portion; and b) abrace support attached to each of the at least two backrest uprightmembers for supporting the cross-brace when the chair is positioned in afully extended position.
 12. The collapsible chair of claim 5 furthercomprising a backrest brace pivotally attached to two sides of the seatportion, the backrest brace comprising a first brace member attached onone end to one side of the seat portion, a second brace member pivotallyattached on one end to the first brace member and attached on the otherend to one of the two or more upright members, the backrest portionbrace configured such that when the chair is positioned in the fullyextended position the backrest brace is straightened to secure thebackrest portion to the seat portion.
 13. The collapsible chair of claim1, wherein the base portion is substantially x-shaped.
 14. Thecollapsible chair of claim 1, wherein the seat portion, backrestportion, two or more front leg members, two or more rear leg member, andbase portion are made of wood.
 15. A collapsible chair devicecomprising: a) a seat portion; b) a backrest portion attached to theseat portion, the backrest portion comprising at least two backrestupright members and a first backrest cross-member and a second backrestcross-member attached between the at least two backrest upright members;c) two or more front leg members each attached on one end to the seatportion by a double hinge mechanism, the two or more front leg membersstructurally connected by a front support member; d) two or more rearleg members each attached on one end to the backrest portion by a rearleg member locking hinge, the two or more rear leg members structurallyconnected by a rear support member; e) a base portion pivotally attachedto the other end of the two or more front leg members and the other endof the two or more rear leg members; and f) a brace member attached onone end to the front support member by a first hinge and attached on theother end to the seat portion by a second hinge, the brace membercomprising two brace sections connected by a brace member locking hingewhereby, when in a locked position, the seat portion, the backrestportion, the front leg members, the rear leg members, the base portion,and the brace member form a stable chair device, wherein the releasingand folding of the brace member causes the backrest portion to foldtoward the two or more front leg members until the rear leg memberhinges are released, thereby allowing the backrest portion and the twoor more rear leg members to further collapse until the two or more frontleg members, the seat portion, and the backrest portion lie flatlytogether, such that they may be folded back over the two or more rearleg members, forming a compact configuration.
 16. The collapsible chairof claim 15, wherein the first backrest cross-member is attached betweenthe at least two backrest upright members on one end of the at least twobackrest upright members and the second backrest cross-member isattached between the at least two backrest upright members on the otherend of the at least two backrest upright members.
 17. The collapsiblechair of claim 15, wherein the double hinge mechanism comprises: a) amounting bracket having a base portion and a hinge portion coupled tothe base portion, the hinge portion perpendicular to the base portion,the hinge portion having a pin accepting portion on the distal endthereof; b) a hinge plate pivotally secured to the mounting bracket by apin, the hinge plate having a first end with a mounting bracket pinreceiving portion therein and a second end with a front leg pinreceiving portion therein, wherein the pin is disposed through themounting bracket pin receiving portion and the pin accepting portion tosecure the hinge plate to the mounting bracket.
 18. The collapsiblechair of claim 15, wherein each of the other ends of the two or morefront leg members contain a pin receiving portion and a hinge plate slotdisposed therein, wherein a front leg pin can be inserted through eachof the pin receiving portions to secure the hinge plate to the two ormore front leg members and the hinge plate slots can receive the hingeplate to enable the chair to be securely positioned into a fullyextended position.
 19. The collapsible chair of claim 15 furthercomprising: a) a backrest portion brace attached to the seat portion,the backrest portion brace comprising a first brace member attached onone end to one side of the seat portion, a second brace member attachedon one end to another side of the seat portion, and a cross-braceattached on one end to the other end of the first brace member and onthe other end to the other end of the second brace member, the backrestportion brace configured such that when the chair is positioned in thefully extended position the cross-brace is positioned on the side of thebackrest portion opposite the seat portion; and b) a brace supportattached to each of the at least two backrest upright members forsupporting the cross-brace when the chair is positioned in a fullyextended position.
 20. The collapsible chair of claim 15 furthercomprising a backrest brace pivotally attached to two sides of the seatportion, the backrest brace comprising a first brace member attached onone end to one side of the seat portion, a second brace member pivotallyattached on one end to the first brace member and attached on the otherend to one of the two or more upright members, the backrest portionbrace configured such that when the chair is positioned in the fullyextended position the backrest brace is straightened to secure thebackrest portion to the seat portion.
 21. A collapsible chair devicecomprising: a) a seat portion; b) a backrest portion attached to theseat portion, the backrest portion comprising at least two backrestupright members and a first backrest cross-member and a second backrestcross-member attached between the at least two backrest upright members;c) two or more front leg members each attached on one end to the seatportion by a double hinge mechanism, the two or more front leg membersstructurally connected by a front support member; d) two or more rearleg members each attached on one end to. the backrest portion by a rearleg member locking hinge, the two or more rear leg members structurallyconnected by a rear support member; e) a base portion pivotally attachedto the other end of the two or more front leg members and the other endof the two or more rear leg members; f) a brace member attached on oneend to the front support member by a first hinge and attached on theother end to the seat portion by a second hinge, the brace membercomprising two brace sections connected by a brace member locking hinge;and g) a backrest brace pivotally attached to two sides of the seatportion, the backrest brace comprising a first brace member attached onone end to one side of the seat portion, a second brace member pivotallyattached on one end to the first brace member and attached on the otherend to one of the two or more upright members, the backrest portionbrace configured such that when the chair is positioned in the fullyextended position the backrest brace is straightened to secure thebackrest portion to the seat portion whereby, when in a locked position,the seat portion, the backrest portion, the front leg members, the rearleg members, the base portion, and the brace member form a stable chairdevice, wherein the releasing and folding of the brace member causes thebackrest portion to fold toward the two or more front leg members untilthe rear leg member hinges are released, thereby allowing the backrestportion and the two or more rear leg members to further collapse untilthe two or more front leg members, the seat portion, and the backrestportion lie flatly together, such that they may be folded back over thetwo or more rear leg members, forming a compact configuration.
 22. Thecollapsible chair of claim 21, wherein the seat portion contains ahandle portion located therein.
 23. A double hinge mechanism for use ina collapsible chair, comprising, a) a mounting bracket having a baseportion and a hinge portion coupled to the base portion, the hingeportion perpendicular to the base portion, the hinge portion having apin accepting portion on the distal end thereof; b) a hinge platepivotally secured to the mounting bracket by a pin, the hinge platehaving a first end with a mounting bracket pin receiving portion thereinand a second end with a front leg pin receiving portion therein, whereinthe pin is disposed through the mounting bracket pin receiving portionand the pin accepting portion to secure the hinge plate to the mountingbracket, wherein the two or more front leg members are attached on oneend to the seat portion by a double hinge mechanism to allow the two ormore front leg members to both pivot and lift off of the base portion.24. The double hinge mechanism for use in a collapsible chair of claim23, wherein each of the other ends of the two or more front leg memberscontain a pin-receiving portion and a hinge plate slot disposed therein,wherein a front leg pin can be inserted through each of the pinreceiving portions to secure the hinge plate to the two or more frontleg members and the hinge plate slots can receive the hinge plate toenable the chair to be securely positioned into a fully extendedposition.